Wednesday, January 27, 2016

NEWS : Javadekar discusses GM crops issues with Agri Minister

Press Trust of India | New Delhi January 27, 2016 Last Updated at 19:22 IST
Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar today called on Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh to discuss the issues related to genetically modified (GM) crops including mustard seed. In the meeting, sources said Javadekar discussed how field trials of many of the transgenic varieties of the food crops have got stuck despite biotechnology regulator GEAC giving nod for the same.

The Minister mentioned that GM foods like cornflakes are being consumed in the country, but many states have denied approval for the scientific field testing of GM crops because of strong opposition from many anti-GM groups.

The two ministers are believed to have discussed ways to build consensus around the issue, sources added.

Sources further said that Singh informed the Environment Minister that his ministry would promote those GM crops approved by the biotechnology regulator GEAC.

The field trials of GM crops and their commercialisation has become a contentious issue in the country. The goverment has allowed commercial cultivation of Bt cotton and put moratorium on Bt brinjal.